Johnston man to serve 16 years in state prison for child molestation

Johnston man to serve 16 years in state prison for child molestation

Published on Wednesday, February 04, 2026

Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced today that a Johnston man has been sentenced in Providence County Superior Court to serve 16 years at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI) for child molestation.

On February 2, 2026, Superior Court Justice Luis M. Matos sentenced Dezmond Choquette (age 24) to 30 years with 16 years to serve at the ACI and 30 years of probation. Additionally, Judge Matos issued a no contact order between the defendant and the victim and ordered the defendant register as a sex offender, attend sex offender counseling, and be subject to community supervision.

On October 24, 2025, a jury found the defendant guilty of two counts of first-degree child molestation and three counts of second-degree child molestation.

"My heart goes out to this victim, who after enduring years of trauma demonstrated incredible bravery in coming forward and helping us seek justice on his behalf," said Attorney General Neronha. "By fostering supportive environments for victims to tell their stories, we make our communities safer, one case at a time. I am grateful to the prosecutors in my office and the Johnston Police Department for their partnership on this difficult case."

During the trial, the State proved beyond a reasonable doubt that between June 2015 and January 2023, the defendant sexually assaulted a juvenile male victim who was known to him.

"Every child deserves to grow up in an environment safe from harm," said Johnston Police Chief Mark A. Vieira. "Because of this victim's courage, we have held this perpetrator accountable. I want to thank our detectives and our partners at the Attorney General's Office for their investigation and prosecution of this case."

Special Assistant Attorneys General Jillian M. Dubois and Allison Stackpole of the Attorney General's Office and Detective Steven A. Lopez of the Johnston Police Department led the investigation and prosecution of the case.

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